Title: Ashes in the Wind

Summary: In her eagerness to finally shed her loneliness, Lucy missed all the signs that maybe Natsu wasn't quite...right. *based off the crack theory that E.N.D. is masquerading as Natsu*

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

AN: Also, I forgot to mention earlier that while I like some parts of the manga right now, I also see a lot of things that could have been done differently. As a result, while the emphasis is on little-dragneel's theory, this fic will also be looking into a lot of other possible plotlines. Figure another chapter or two similar to this before I start messing with canon.

"Fairy Tail just broke up?"

Lucy ducked her head and tried not to grind her teeth too loudly. She knew he was just in shock and tried to reason out her anger but, the fire racing through her veins was quickly overtaking everything. Of all the things for him to be whining about…

"They could have easily stayed together! When did we ever listen to Gramps anyways?" Natsu growled, shaking his head. "Laxus always wanted to be guildmaster, he could've taken over. Or Levy. Or even Erza. Or a lot of people." Natsu rolled his shoulders before slamming his fist on his seat. "How could Gramps just disregard family-"

"Do you have any right to be saying that?" Lucy hissed, snapping her head up to glare at Natsu. But, her anger flickered momentarily as the emotion slipped off Natsu's face, his dead eyes seeming to swallow hers. For someone passionately whining three seconds ago, he sure knows how to show enthusiasm. She dismissed the snarky thought as her anger returned full force. Lucy pressed her lips together and looked off to the side, taking deep breaths through her nose. "You just left," she muttered.

Natsu coughed and Lucy gritted her teeth one final time. Remember, he had lost his dad after looking for him for years. She took one last deep breath before forcing on a smile a turning back to Natsu. Her smile felt a little tight and Lucy subtly rolled her shoulders in an attempt to get rid of some of her anger while observing Natsu. His face was carefully blank, reminding Lucy of his tendency to bottle painful things up. Some more of her anger disappeared (be grateful he's back, don't push him to share those kinds of things yet) and her smile became a bit more genuine. "I'm sorry. You were going through a lot, I'm sure you had your reasons."

Natsu's eye twitched and he opened his mouth to say something. But, halfway through he changed his mind, snapping his mouth shut and closing his eyes. Natsu clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white.

Guilt flickered in her stomach but, Lucy pushed it away. After a year of depression and anger, she had needed to get that out. She frowned at Natsu's clenched fist, her eyes flickering to Happy briefly. The little exceed didn't look too worried at Natsu's turmoil so, Lucy tried to shake off the shivers creeping down her spine. Something about not seeing Natsu smiling felt wrong. No matter how angry she was at him, she didn't want him to be unhappy.

Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose with a sigh. This was not how she what she had planned their reunion to be like.

"Look, Natsu," Lucy said, frowning when he continued to stare at her feet, his eyes shadowed. Lucy exchanged a concerned look with Happy. "Let's go to my place and eat. We can talk more there."

Natsu didn't respond and Lucy bit her lip, uneasiness washing over her. She shifted nervously, her nails digging into her palm. As mad as she was at Natsu, it didn't change the fact that he was finally here with her and she hasn't felt true companionship like this for months. She gulped. "Natsu?"

Natsu finally looked up, his eyes flat and hooded. Lucy's shoulders tensed, only slightly relaxing when he smiled toothily. "Sorry Luce," he said, ignoring her flinch at the familiar nickname, "I was just thinking. But yeah, food sounds awesome!"

Natsu ignored a food offering in favor of thinking?

Lucy smirked. "That's new for you."

Natsu pouted at her and Lucy chuckled and waved her hand. "Shall we go? I'm getting hungry." She eyed his bandaged chest and long, dirty locks. "We could clean you up while we're at it, too."

Natsu jumped up with a cheer, grabbing Happy and her hand as he started to drag them out of the castle's garden. She cocked her head to the side and stared at the back of Natsu's head, wondering just what had happened in the past year to change him so much. Natsu caught her staring and shot her a megawatt grin and suddenly, it seemed just like old times. Lucy giggled as the last bits of tension drained from her.

She supposed Natsu had just matured over the past year, even if his normal spark seemed just a tad colder now.

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